Always bring plenty of water! For waterfall and wildflower hikes, it's advisable to check a website for current conditions. Wildfires can really change the landscape here, too.
Arroyo Burro Beach and Douglas Family Preserve
Advantages: Easy to get to, plenty of parking, nice restaurant on the beach for a happy hour before/after a walk or hike, no problem with tides, no problem with tar on the beach, beautiful views.
If you look at the map and the photo you will see the location of the Arroyo Burro Beach County Park. Directions are given in the following link for Hendry's beach: http://www.santabarbara.com/virtual_tour/beaches/hendrys
A link on that page describes the Douglas Preserve. From the attached photo, you can see the parking lot. To the west one can walk for miles along the beach. From the top end of the parking lot one can enter the Douglas Preserve on top of the bluff with spectacular views. An hour can be spent in the preserve and as long as one wishes to walk west on the beach. Thus one can do both in the same afternoon, perhaps stopping for happy hour at the Boathouse restaurant.
Santa Barbara and Montecito Front Country Hikes
The Front Country Hikes website has information on hikes easily accessible hikes, generally 15 minutes or less drive from downtown Santa Barbara. Seven Falls, Romero Canyon, and Tangerine Falls can be great in winter and spring. Many can be done as late afternoon hikes or trail runs before a late dinner.
There are also quite nice hikes in the backcountry (http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/hikes/backcountry/). The hikes out Paradise Road (e.g., Aliso Canyon Trail, Little Pine Mountain, Gibraltar Lake, and Red Rock) are as close as 30 minutes' drive from KITP!
Figueroa Mountain, in Los Padres National Forest, is known for spectacular spring wildflower displays, in wet years. There are also a number of hiking trails in the area.
Davy Brown trail begins in Fir Canyon, in a gorgeous river canyon near Figueroa Mountain. The mixed forest in the upper portion of the trail is a rare cool, green spot in hot weather.
Maps, Books, Websites, and Groups:
Housing Coordinator Monica Curry can lend you books on day hikes by Robert Stone and by Raymond Ford. They are available for purchase at REI and Chaucer's bookstore.
They're great for choosing a route, but do not consider them substitutes for topographic maps.
REI has more detailed hiking maps for Santa Barbara, Southern California, and beyond.
Santa Barbara's Sierra Club chapter has organized hikes twice a week. The Wednesday conditioning hikes are no joke!
Table of Contents
Always bring plenty of water!
For waterfall and wildflower hikes, it's advisable to check a website for current conditions. Wildfires can really change the landscape here, too.
Arroyo Burro Beach and Douglas Family Preserve
Advantages: Easy to get to, plenty of parking, nice restaurant on the beach for a happy hour before/after a walk or hike, no problem with tides, no problem with tar on the beach, beautiful views.
If you look at the map and the photo you will see the location of the Arroyo Burro Beach County Park. Directions are given in the following link for Hendry's beach: http://www.santabarbara.com/virtual_tour/beaches/hendrys
A link on that page describes the Douglas Preserve. From the attached photo, you can see the parking lot. To the west one can walk for miles along the beach. From the top end of the parking lot one can enter the Douglas Preserve on top of the bluff with spectacular views. An hour can be spent in the preserve and as long as one wishes to walk west on the beach. Thus one can do both in the same afternoon, perhaps stopping for happy hour at the Boathouse restaurant.
Santa Barbara and Montecito Front Country Hikes
The Front Country Hikes website has information on hikes easily accessible hikes, generally 15 minutes or less drive from downtown Santa Barbara. Seven Falls, Romero Canyon, and Tangerine Falls can be great in winter and spring. Many can be done as late afternoon hikes or trail runs before a late dinner.
Backcountry Hikes
You'll need a National Forest Service Adventure Pass for hikes in the National Forest (most backcountry areas). Where to buy adventure passes. Some national holidays are free!
There are also quite nice hikes in the backcountry (http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/hikes/backcountry/). The hikes out Paradise Road (e.g., Aliso Canyon Trail, Little Pine Mountain, Gibraltar Lake, and Red Rock) are as close as 30 minutes' drive from KITP!
San Rafael National Forest (http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/hikes/sanrafael/) hikes are farther away.
Figueroa Mountain, in Los Padres National Forest, is known for spectacular spring wildflower displays, in wet years. There are also a number of hiking trails in the area.
Davy Brown trail begins in Fir Canyon, in a gorgeous river canyon near Figueroa Mountain. The mixed forest in the upper portion of the trail is a rare cool, green spot in hot weather.
Maps, Books, Websites, and Groups:
Housing Coordinator Monica Curry can lend you books on day hikes by Robert Stone and by Raymond Ford. They are available for purchase at REI and Chaucer's bookstore.
They're great for choosing a route, but do not consider them substitutes for topographic maps.
REI has more detailed hiking maps for Santa Barbara, Southern California, and beyond.
Santa Barbara's Sierra Club chapter has organized hikes twice a week. The Wednesday conditioning hikes are no joke!